I held his paw and slept by his side for 14 days in hospital. But it turned out, all the love in the world wasn’t enough to save him. Thus begins the final post on Life of Dozer.
My dearest Dozer,
You came into my life in my arms, holding you protectively. And after almost 14 years together, I held you in my arms protectively again as I said goodbye.
I was sobbing so hard, I forgot everything I wanted to say to you in our final moments together.
So I started writing this letter to you, to say all those things.
I wanted to reminisce about our wonderful times – the thousands of visits to the dog beach, all the wonderful food we sampled together, the cuddles, the neck-scratching-sessions, our road trips.
I wanted to thank you for spreading the joy that is you with readers all around the world, for happily coming along with me to meet readers at events, book signings, fund raisers, lunches, dinners, not to mention TV shows, photo shoots, and my gosh, we can’t forget our stint on Play School!
But as I sit here, typing away with tears streaming down my face, I realise that’s not what I want to say to you.
What I want to say is thank you.
Thank you for giving me your whole heart.
Thank you for giving me your unconditional loyalty.
Thank you for loving me just as I am, for all my flaws, for never caring what I weigh, what I wear, what I look like.
Thank you for always being there, my one constant through the good and bad times.
Thank you for making me smile, even on the hardest of days.
And thank you for trying so hard to stay with me as long as you could, fighting to heal until your very last day. I will never forget how deep you had to dig to find the strength for your rehab walk on our final morning together.
I know that one day, I will be able to look at photos of you again without sobbing. And I know all this pain I am feeling is because I loved you so fiercely and completely, and I wouldn’t trade it for a second I got to spend with you.
But right now, four days after saying goodbye, it feels like the heartbreak will never heal, like I will never smile again.
Rest in peace, my darling Dozer. I will never forget you, and I will never stop loving you.
Love,
Your mum xoxo
Thank you SASH
To the vets and nurses at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH),
Thank you for the extraordinary care, skill, and kindness you showed Dozer. Every moment, from the medical expertise to the gentle reassurance and cheering him on, meant more to me than I can say. Knowing he was in such capable, compassionate hands gave me comfort during the hardest days. I will always be deeply grateful for everything you did for my beautiful boy. – Nagi x
So sorry to read this, it brings tears to my eyes. Though we all know our beloved fur babies make their way over the rainbow bridge long before we are ready to let them go, when they do, still it breaks our heart. Thank you so much for sharing your Dozer with us, it was a joy to watch him throughout these years. He was truly one of a kind.
Sending you peace and comfort
What a beautiful tribute to Dozer, Nagi. May your grief ease a bit as you celebrate the years you had with him and the very special love you shared.
Thinking of you in these difficult times 🐾
Dear Nagi,
So sorry for your loss,I feel so sad for you .Sending love take time for yourself.
Cheryl
Dear Nagi I am so sorry Dozer had to cross the golden bridge. If only our fur babies could live for ever. Unconditional love on both sides . Please find comfort in that you could not have done more for him and with him. If ever a dog was loved it was Dozer and thank you for sharing him with us❤️❤️🙏🏻😢😢
I am so so sorry to hear of your loss. You and Dozer have made me smile so much for the past few years, especially the little quips in you cookbooks giving a recipe in servings for normal peoples and servings for Dozer’s. He will be missed forever and always, but I hope one day you can also take comfort in how much joy he has brought others, and that you have all these beautiful memories (and stunning glossy pictures) to look back on.
Nagi
I’m so sorry for you lost, I know how much you loved Dozer and how painful it must be to see him go but just remember he will always be with you, Thank you for sharing Dozer with us, he will truly be missed! RIP Dozer
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Dear Nagi, thinking of you at this difficult time. Your love for Dozer will always remain in your heart and he made everyone feel special and was part of everyone’s kitchen. We trusted in him when he sampled the recipes.
RIP Dozer – you were loved not only by your Mom Nagi, but by many many many more around the world. I certainly loved following your escapades and will miss you!! You beautiful boy RIP
Dear Nagi,
So sorry to hear of your loss of a great friend and family member. I will remember him every year on 26th April, he and I shared a birthday.
Many Blessings.
Tears in my eyes as I write. It’s such a difficult thing to lose a dog, it’s not just an animal but part of your family, they love so unconditionally and with their whole being. We had to say goodbye to our 13 yr old dog a couple of years ago and it was so hard. I missed him so much. I bought a little silver mini schnauzer dog charm and wore it round my neck for a year, never took it off and touched it when I missed or thought about him. The weight of it felt like he was still with me❤️ The sorrow surprised me, in it’s depth and length… be kind to yourself Nagi xx
To Nagi,
Your unconditional love for DOZER was remarkable – I admire you for showing so much love to your wonderful pet – who was more human than human. In the Jewish religion we say – we wish you ‘a long life’ when somebody passes away, our tradition. So to you dear Nagi, I wish you ‘a long life’ and may you be comforted by the thoughts of your undying love and devotion to DOZER. Take care ANN
My heart goes out to you, Nagi. May Dozer’s spirit be with you always. Sending you a hug from the PNW. 🤗
Dear Nagi & the Recipe Tin Eats family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Dozer was such an amazing fellow & his loss will be extremely hard to bear. Try & think of all the good & fun times you had & take comfort that you did all you could for him & had 14 wonderful years together though I know it’s never enough. Thinking of you ❤️🩹🐾
I’m so so sorry Nagi. A beloved family member. RIP Dozer, enjoy all those food scraps and treats in heaven .
The hardest thing and the kindest thing, and the least we can do for all their unconditional love, is ease their passing and be there.
Nagi, Dozer has left his old aching body. His spirit, though, will never leave you. I talk to my beloved dogs who have left their earthly bodies a lot. It becomes a comfort.
I shed tears reading this post. I grieve your loss as you grieve for Dozer. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Sad times, take care.
crying reading this thinking of my own senior dog who will one day face this. Your recipes and him were the two things that literally kept me alive when I first moved out of home. Thank you Nagi for nourishing me from afar, I hope you find solace and comfort the way your food has comforted me. Rest easy Dozer 🌈